|
I used youtube to find examples of multi camera in use within different production formats. The 1st example found was QI game show. This show was based in the studio so all the events or scripting was planned and pre recorded before showing on air. Because its pre recorded the pre production team have more time to edit the footage gathered by the static multi cam angles. The small production studio ensures all the staff are within reach so collecting data or information between each other is quite simple
|
Shoot script for QI |
This is another version of multi camera used within different production formats, this video is from the Iran vs Brazil football game where many multi cams were in use; this is due to this being a live game event and the focus of attention could be anywhere in the stadium so many camera's have to be in place to ensure the footage can be captured. The live footage isn't planned but the camera men know what to expect; kick off, corner kicks, free kicks, goal kicks, penalties, fouls etc so the camera men know what angles and shots to use whilst these events are taking place. For football events like this there are atleast or over 8 camera's covering all sides of the playing field and stadium; it being a large size to cover means there could be complications between data or information being sent across such as lag or latency; if the data has some lag the footage could be delayed when the audience is receiving it
|
|
Comparison
The football game video was an out side live production open to environment so the events are unplanned and not scripted, this compared to the QI video where it is in a closed studio. Being in a closed studio offers more benefits then being in an open stadium, these benefits include the studio being designed to have camera's placed for all the angles the producers could think of whereas in the football arena they will have to plan before hand and try place cameras in the most convenient of places and sometimes camera's arnt placed in the best of places to cover all the footage meaning footage will be missed. Most of the games in a football stadium will require no less then 8 camera's to get just the basic shots and views on the arena compared to 3 or 4 being placed in the studio. Also because the event being in an open stadium there is less control of weather conditions meaning the light and sound cant be adjusted to better the quality of the footage but in the studio weather isnt something to worry about and the lighting can be adjusted accordingly. In the football arena the camera crew will be spread over a large area to cover the large stadium so helping others or communicating will be fairly difficult so they will have to investigate in ways to communicate wirelessly and by using those methods will create lag time so by the time the information is sent it could be too late so those involved in the camera team will have to very organised and make fast decisions. In a closed studio production the cameras will be in close contact with eachother so the film crew and production team will be able to communicate better and easier and also because the production is pre recorded so if there are many mistakes it can be redone and recorded again to correct it. Seeing as the football event is live if there is a mistake; there isnt a second chance due to it going to be uploaded and viewed by an audience within seconds. There is also a schedule for the programs that include spacing for advertisements so the director will have to ensure those filming or those on the vision mixer know how long they have till the advertisement breaks are coming up. Also the director will have the role of telling those on camera the timing and cueing the presenters telling them what to say or how to act on show, this differs from the football live game whereby the action available is unscripted except for the half time break, the directors have to talk through the talk back to each camera telling those on the camera what to focus on and this includes shots of the reaction from the audience and shots of unscripted action such as improper tackles or arguments on the pitch. Also the director would cue graphics and replays of any action that would interest the audience. Some aspects of this is similar to the Qi show such as the film crew being told to focus on unscripted reactions or dialog and also engaging with the audience viewing their reactions but also the floor managers would cue the audience reactions.
There are some interesting camera angles used during this sporting event such as the helmet cam placing the viewers watching right within the action and other shots like the pit stop where workers of each team prepare for almost all scenarios that could happen; these camera angles emerge the audience and tries to place them within the action as if they was really there, all the viewers watching will be overjoyed seeing the footage that is shown because it gives them an incite into what happens during these types of sports; in person they would never gain any access or be as close to the action as they are shown in this clip
|
This is the highlights of the F1 race in Austin, this is an outdoor production and Live so the events or actions that may happen during this event wont be scripted but can be planned; as this is a race there will be a beginning and an end but also seeing as this is a track based event the camera's can be placed accordingly; by each straight or corner of the circuit there can be camera's to record the footage. As stated above all the events will be unplanned but there is traditional events that happen during a sporting event like this such as the pit lane, the starting grid, corners and an odd occasions of collisions where instant replays and slow mo can be edited quickly to show the audience in detail what happened. In a sporting event like these where high speed cars are in actions there will a need for many camera feeds such as wireless feeds that connect directly to the car capturing more angles to this live event but also birds eye view shots to also add another angle to this event. Also during this event there is conversation between the drivers and those in the pit lane that offer assistance and the talkback radio communication is also aired to give an insight to how it would be if the audience was participating. All the audio and video footage has to sent across the stadium to the relay room.
All the cameras placed around the track are positioned in sequence in order to capture the action around the track, by recording all the action simultaneously the production team will be able to cut from one camera angle to the next angle giving the impression to the audience that the action is progressing. Also the positioning of the cameras and the sequence in which the each camera angle is shown follows the circuit the participants are racing at; they wouldn't skip parts of the circuit because there will be coverage missed and the audience will recognize that there is parts of the track missing. The footage is then sent to the vision mixer and the director then then cue shots that "flow" and would show the progression on the track but also including shots of action. |
Shooting Script |
Basketball coverage is normally multicam but in the example I've decided to show the main coverage or angle used is the extreme wide angle shot, this camera zooms and pans to keep up with the action keeping the viewer interested and on the odd occasion switching the camera position such as the shot under the basketball hoop; this also like the main extreme shot camera pans and zooms in towards the action. The main camera is positioned where the audience would be so the viewers (if they have attended a game previously) will feel accustom to this placement within the audience. Also I feel that there is no other choice but to have the main camera as the extreme long shot due to the action being so rapid; for example at 40 seconds there was an attack made by one of the teams playing, this moved the camera focus to the other end of the playing field but because of one of the opponents blocked the shot and threw the back back in the other end the focus of the attention will be on the opposite end of the field; changing camera shots may mean missing intense action that may of happened.
|
There are also shots of the audience reaction to parts of the action that they've just seen so the camera people will have to be aware that they will have to film as much reactions as they can; footage like this for the director can be used is to create and exaggerate the atmosphere. Also the director will cue graphics to run during breaks or just between the "action replay".
|
|
Top gears multicam use is very unique, most of the action is scripted but the camera crew still have to be on edge to capture and increase the amount of coverage insuring anything that could maintain the viewers interests. The camera's are sometimes static and positioned on the floor but most of the camera crews are placed in 4x4 and follow the subjects along in action. The camera's used within this production are recording at the same time to ensure every angle of footage or action is covered so there wont be any gaps during any journey any of the cast is involved in. Nearly of the placed filmed are all on a location outside the studio but every time a challenge is done the crew regroup at a place where the audience knows; the main studio.
|
Live or public events such as concerts or performances are one of the many events that capture and cover all the action that happens during the event. This clip that I choose is one taken from Beyonces performance back in 2012 and is a great example to deconstruct showing how the production team capture all angles of the action including the audience
In the 1st few frames of the opening scene the audience is introduced to a pre made animation graphic; this imagery evolves and changes into beyonces face and as the face screams and fades away the camera cuts to Beyonce standing at the forefront of the stage. This opening scene alone captures and keeps the viewer interested because from opening scene the viewer doesn't exactly know what is next to come leaving the audience on a cliff hanger trying to anticipate what is to come next |
|
As beyonce is standing center stage graphics behind her start to emerge and go in sync with her dancing; to be in person and view this would be magnificent and the camera's are trying to recreate and broadcast the same experience for the viewers at home so the camera is positioned and angled to have her centered but with enough room beside her to view the projected graphics, even after the main performance with the graphics is over the camera used remains the same; for example, when Beyonce comes down off the stage and walks between the crowd its the same camera that tracks and follows her and by doing this the audience will feel like apart of the audience, sitting amongst the crowd viewing it from their own perspective. The only time the camera angle changes is when the performance is drawing to a close and a high angle shot of the stage and the crowd is shown